President Mokgweetsi Masisi of Botswana has conceded defeat in the recent general election, marking the end of the Botswana Democratic Party’s (BDP) 58-year hold on power. This shift comes as the opposition party, Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), emerged with a strong lead in preliminary results, positioning their candidate, Duma Boko, as the likely new president of Botswana, a key player in the global diamond market.
Masisi acknowledged the outcome in an early morning press conference, saying, “I concede the election. I am proud of our democratic processes. Although I wanted a second term, I will respectfully step aside and participate in a smooth transition process.”
In a phone call to Boko, Masisi informed him of his decision, adding, “I look forward to attending the coming inauguration and cheering on my successor. He will enjoy my support.”
This election is historic for Botswana, marking the first transition of power from the BDP, which has governed the country since its independence from Britain in 1966. The country, often held up as one of Africa’s most stable democracies, has seen its economy deeply intertwined with diamond production, as it remains the world’s second-largest natural diamond producer after Russia.
A decline in global diamond demand, however, has strained Botswana’s economy, with unemployment surging above 27% this year. Many citizens criticised Masisi’s administration for its limited progress in diversifying the economy beyond diamonds.
Boko, a 54-year-old lawyer, previously contested elections in 2014 and 2019 and now stands poised to lead the nation into a new era.